Local inventor strikes gold on first try
Anyone who has ever packed a picnic, planned a barbecue or spent a day at the beach knows how hard it is to keep food separated from certain outside elements - dirt, bark, bugs, sand and more. Coming to the rescue of outdoor enthusiasts everywhere, Edward B. has, after a couple of years of considering the problem, come to a solution. His invention, called the "Sliding Server," was designed to keep food free and clear of any unpleasant contamination. Although it's his name on the patent, it took some encouragement from his wife and the assistance of his 10-year old son to make it happen. "About two years ago we were on vacation in California on the beach," he recalled. "We had brought along bags of goodies for the kids, but noticed how sand would get into the bags of chips, crackers and the like, contaminating everything. "Just about every time one of the children would get into one of the bags to get a snack, sand would get in too," he added. "And kids are not always careful about how they handle things. The bags would get tossed around, dropped and just left around. Anyway, we ended having to throw a lot of the food away."
His wife felt there had to be a better way of bringing munchies to the beach, the forest or in the car. She exhorted her husband to come up with something, stating, "Eddie, design it and build it." With three college degrees - a master's in education, and bachelor of sciences degrees in electrical engineering and psychology - the well read graduate went to work. But, he needed more than his smarts and the discipline drilled in from an injury ended career in the military to come up with the ultimate answer. He needed help from the people he felt would be using it most - kids. "My son is very creative, very pictorial and could see how kids were going to handle it," said Edward. "He also could see how it should be designed so small fingers could operate it."
He and his wife also surveyed all of the stores that could possibly have items in the same line to see if there was already something out there to take care of the problem. There wasn't. That's when they got in touch with Invention Technologies, Inc., or Invent-Tech. "They (Invent-Tech) see hundreds of ideas a day and a lot don't even get in the door," Edward noted. "So imagine our surprise and delight when they said they were interested in it." The firm had a committee review the concept and immediately kicked it upstairs. "This is a good idea for every one," claimed Edward; "for all ages and demographics; for hikers, boaters, picnickers, hunters, bikers, people traveling by car.
It's easily accessible and handy to carry around." Patent and marketing restrictions do not allow photos of the device, or even detailed descriptions of how it works. But, according to Edward, the Sliding Server's design allows it to automatically serve the contents - whether, popcorn, candy, nuts, chips or crackers - with a simple pressing motion. The product eliminates the need to use plastic lid containers, plastic wrap coverings or inadequate original packing. "Now I know some snack makers think they have the problem solved with cardboard canisters capped with plastic pop tops," Edward stated. "But, I can tell from personal experience and observing other people, they don't. This works."
Because he wanted it made for everyone, too, Edward also wanted it priced so everyone could afford to buy one, or more. He's not sure when it will actually hit the market, but hopes it will be in time for the next travel season. "We're working with manufacturers, seeking someone to build it," he explained. "We've sent out contact information to a number of companies already and expect to hear back from someone soon." No one is more anxious to see the product available than Edward and his family. With five children, they could certainly use it. Now invention fever seems to set in with Edward's family. They have a couple of other ideas in the works, but are, at present, forbidden to discuss them.